PASIG CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Saturday, October 3, dismissed reports of a riot inside the Pasig City Jail Male Dormitory, clarifying that inmates merely staged a brief noise barrage after 10 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) tested positive for illegal drugs and were placed in isolation.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera explained that the disturbance was localized and immediately contained by facility authorities, causing no injuries.
“Isolated noise barrage lamang ng isang selda. Nagingay po kasi sila (PDLs) sa kanilang selda matapos magpositibo and 10 PDL sa drug test na isinagawa ng ating mga tauhan,’’ Bustinera said.
According to Bustinera, tension arose when fellow inmates grew hostile over the mandatory isolation of those who failed the random drug test, which is standard procedure pending investigation. However, jail personnel quickly restored order.
“Wala pong nangyaring riot. Wala po tayong nasaktan, nasugatan. Back to normal po naman agad dito (jail facility) at naapula naman po agad the insidente,’’ he added.
Concern mounted outside the facility after visiting relatives heard shouting and the banging of cell gates coming from a second-floor unit. Anxiety heightened among the crowd when jail officers directed them to step further back from the perimeter.
To maintain security and prevent potential escalation, local police units were deployed around the immediate vicinity of the jail dormitory to set up strategic checkpoints.
Authorities assured the public that the situation inside remains stable and fully under control.